CLIMATE CHANGE |
There is an emerging consensus amongst policy makers and development practitioners that an effective attack on poverty and the ill-effects of climate change requires taking comprehensive action that encompasses both issues. Climate change is bound to have devastating impacts on agriculture, disease patterns, and violent weather events, all of which particularly impact the poorest countries. Most importantly, it significantly poses a threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially those related to eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting environmental sustainability. In other words, Climate Change is an urgent issue that must be at the forefront of organizational policy and practice.
Why Focus on Climate Change?
African Countries will be most affected
Regions with the smallest carbon emissions will be the hardest hit by its effects according the 2007/2008 UNDP Human Development Report launched here today. Africa is among the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change, which are derailing efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Africa Needs more energy
Africa’s populations are growing at a high rate, increasing the need for energy. This energy is mostly wood-fuel, which is widely used for cooking and heating. In the same vein, the energy needs of emerging economies in Africa also require energy – elements that the environment may not fully support. Reducing poverty, expanding health services, promoting economic growth, and meeting the MDGs in poor countries will be predicated on significantly increased energy supply. The source of this energy- coal, oil, or renewable- will have tremendous ramifications for global emissions of greenhouse gases. Scientists warn that total worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases will have to peak around 2015, and decline sharply thereafter, if we are to avoid the most dangerous climate change forecasts.
Diseases are Likely to Escalate
Diseases such as malaria are likely to become more rampant, impacting more people in the Africa that are already reeling under the burdgen of poverty and other health and socio-economic problems. The impacts on people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, for instance, will escalate, exacerbating an already complex issue.
Little Efforts to Address Climate Change
While high-level discussions are taking place, little is being done to focus the attention of businesses, organizations and governments on local action that is required to reduce the deterioration of the environment, and reduce the impacts of climate change on the poor communities.
Agricultural Production will be affected
Agriculture is the bedrock of most economies in Africa. Changing rainfall patterns could devastate rain-fed agriculture on which so much of the populations in poor countries rely for survival. In Africa, for example, only 4% of all cropped land is irrigated.
What We Will Do:
RECABIP will:
- Build the capacities of organizations not only to protect the environment and adapt to climate change, but also to reduce its impact on communities and thus safeguard the future.
- Promote policy research, dialogue, and practical action and to strengthen the awareness of, and response to climate change.
Climate Change Conferences and Workshops
Here are some of the current events: